“The trip was really fun,” said Kent Como ’28, who visited Stamford’s Children’s Learning Center (CLC.) “It felt good to be able to help people in our community.”

Students were divided according to their advisory, and each group visited a different partner organization. In addition to CLC, students visited Building One Community (B1C), New Covenant Center, and two different Person 2 Person (P2P) sites. 

“It is so important to visit the partner organizations because the students can see firsthand where the areas of need are and brainstorm ways that we can help these organizations in the future,” said Anna Lubowitz, English teacher and Grade 7 Team Leader. 

The experience added dimension to past initiatives like food, clothing, and toy drives as students learned about sorting and distributing these items. At P2P, they worked to organize products in the warehouses in addition to touring and stocking P2P’s mobile pantry. 

“It was heartwarming to see the smiles on peoples' faces,” said Oliver Lacour ’28, who pitched in at P2P’s Darien location. 

At B1C, students contributed to the community mural at its new headquarters. At New Covenant Center, they toured the facility and then watched it in action as community members came to lunch. Through the tours and the conversations, they gained a sense of the complexities of having to choose between paying bills and buying food.

“We are all in Stamford. We are all in the same community,” said Karen Raidt, Director of King Cares and Student Services and Assistant Director of Global Education. “To understand the dynamics of the community, students have to experience it. We are looking to spark an interest in students so they are compelled to explore further, and as they take the lead in organizing initiatives, we are supporting their ideas.”

After their site visits, students shared reflections at Chelsea Piers. 

“It was a great experience for my King community and me,” said Taylor Mehu ’28. “We really appreciated the opportunity that we got to meet and interact with new people.”

The trips were one of many touch points students have with partner organizations during the school year. Through King events like the Midnight Run, Teddy Bear Toss, and Souper Bowl, students support the greater community. In the coming weeks, time will be allocated for students to reflect on their site visits and continue to find ways to engage in the community in deep and meaningful ways. Service learning trips later in the year will provide students the opportunity to rotate through all of the partner organizations. 

“I was impressed by how easily and willingly students jumped into service at each organization,” said Lubowitz. “Watching them work together to help others always fills me with pride and gives me hope for how we can serve our community going forward.”